Chow buzzes out of ‘Hornet’

Sony searching for new actor to play sidekick

Stephen Chow has ankled the Columbia Pictures project as the sidekick of playboy-turned-vigilante Brit Reid, to be played by Seth Rogen. Michel Gondry is helming the pic, which begins lensing in September. It’s skedded for release on July 9, 2010.

Chow had initially signed on to direct the film as well, but then opted just to play Kato, the role Bruce Lee took in the original 1960s TV show.

Character is Reid’s chauffeur by day and Green Hornet’s martial arts-skilled sidekick by night.

Sources said Chow left on amicable terms and had several other projects he wanted to pursue that didn’t fit with “Hornet’s” production schedule.